Workgroup types
Hi Alison,
Good refinement of the definition -- this has been a very useful discussion and attests to the value of collaboration in that more eyes produce better quality :-)
Peter makes a very important point --- in that Community governance is accountable to the community --- hence the importance for the community to have the freedom to convene workgroups that may ultimately lead to site-wide policy. The task of the Community Council, in my view is to ensure due process and transparency in the stewardship of our collective project.
At the same time -- we should encourage innovation, ownership and freedom for individuals and groups to self-organise around specific projects.
You're right -- workgroup does have a broad meaning -- so we need to get the definitions right in the policy guidelines for work groups.
Looks like we're at the point where we can amend the draft definitions and start thinking about process, how work groups are formed, how they operate and liaise with WCC. What are the minimum requirements before a workgroup can submit a proposal for consideration by Council etc.
Interesting thread. My current client is Continuing Legal Education BC and we were having a discussion regarding governance and the documents that describe the organization. The charter, mission statement, any of the founding documents, etc. As a governance committee we are bound to ensure what is described in these legal founding documents is followed. And if changes are required we go through due process to make the changes... Given the recent changes in WikiEducator becoming its own entity, shouldn't all members of the council read over all these new documents?
I revised the definition of workgroup, revised even from my earlier suggestion in an effort to clearly define the narrow sense of the word in this instance. Am suggesting changing Workgroup Types to something else to avoid the delineation problem. It may be that the process differs for community-established and Council-established WGs, and we'll need to reinstate types. But thought it's worth considering Workgroup as one thing to start. I titled the revised section Establishing WE Workgroups...for now. Needs more thought on what else is required to make a workgroup.
Hi Alison,
I like the revised definition -- it works for me and is clear.
The concept of "Official WikiEducator Workgroup" is a workable concept -- I thought of the alternative of using "Sanctioned Workgroup", but it doesn't seem to fit the spirit of open communities.
One option to clarify this further is to add a definition for "Official WE Workgroup" as a Workgroup instituted and opertating under these policy guidelines -- I'll add this in the definitions. We can always modify and/or remove if necessary.
Changing workgroup "types" will also help delineate the problem. Let me think ....
OK -- with the addition of the "Official WE WG" definition -- we can now substitute each instance in the policy refering to an Official workgroup with the concept of "Official WikiEducator Workgroup" -- if you know what I mean :-)
I'll try out replacing with "Official WikiEducator Workgroup."
I do have one reservation --Official WikiEducator Workgroup is quite a long name. I wonder if it'd be easier for us if we defined the capital-W version of Workgroup to be the Official WikiEducator Workgroup, for the purposes of these policy guidelines.
Agree that we can reconsider later, time to move on.
